Dental status, oral prosthesis and chewing ability in an adult and elderly population in southern Brazil

Authors

  • Alexandre Baumgarten Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Graduate Program in Epidemiology
  • Jeanne Gabriele Schmidt Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Graduate Program in Epidemiology
  • Rafaela Soares Rech Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Graduate Program in Epidemiology
  • Juliana Balbinot Hilgert Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Graduate Program in Dentistry
  • Bárbara Niegia Garcia de Goulart Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Graduate Program in Epidemiology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2017(11)06

Keywords:

Adult, Aged, Chewing Ability, Oral Health, Dental Prosthesis

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the factors associated with inadequate chewing in an adult and elderly population of a city in the southern region of Brazil. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study based on a population home-based inquiry (DCH-POP) in southern Brazil. Individuals were interviewed by trained interviewers to create a standardized procedure. In a pilot study, the Questionnaire of Human Communication Disorders (DCH-POP) was created and validated to identify self-reported speech and language, swallowing and hearing disorders. The outcome was dichotomized into either having adequate chewing or not, as assessed by a series of questions about chewing ability. Analyses of absolute and relative frequencies were measured according to the studied variables. A Poisson regression was applied at a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: A total of 1,246 people were interviewed. Inadequate chewing was found in 52 (5.6%) individuals, with a higher prevalence in the elderly (11.8%) than in adults (5.2%). In the final model, the following factors were associated with inadequate chewing: being 61 years of age or older (prevalence ratio or PR=9.03; 95% CI: 1.20-67.91), loss of teeth and use of unadjusted prosthesis (PR=3.50; 95% CI: 1.54-7.95), preference for foods of soft consistency (PR=9.34; 95% CI:4.66-8.70) and difficulty in nasal breathing (PR=2.82; 95% CI: 1.31-6.06). CONCLUSION: Age, oral health status through dental prosthesis, preference for foods of soft consistency and difficulty breathing through the nose were factors associated with chewing inability in adults and the elderly.

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Published

2017-11-01

Issue

Section

Clinical Sciences

How to Cite

Baumgarten, A., Schmidt, J. G., Rech, R. S., Hilgert, J. B., & Goulart, B. N. G. de. (2017). Dental status, oral prosthesis and chewing ability in an adult and elderly population in southern Brazil. Clinics, 72(11), 681-685. https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2017(11)06